Journal box



June 20, 1933. D. s. BARROWS JOURNAL BOX 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 28, 1927 0000/4 6 @rraws flttmmq June 20, 1933. D. s. BARROWS JOURNAL BOX Filed Jan. 28, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 29, 1933 PATENT U BONAL'D S. BAERGWS, OF ROCHESTER, NEW) YORK, ASSIGLTOB T6 SIMFNG'TOI'I C9111- PANY, 0F NEVI YORK, N. Y., A GOEPOR-ATIG'H 0F TEAEYLAND JOURNAL BOX 7 Application filed January 2-8, 192?.

This invention relates to ournal boxes and, more particularly, to an improved lid therefor.

The principal object of my invention, gen erally considered, is the construction of an improved and simplified lid for journal boxes, said lid being provided with resilient means performing the double function of hinging said lid to an associated ournal box and holding thesame in open or closed position.

An object of my invention is the provision of a journal box lid formed without the usual hinging ears and provided with resilient means connected thereto for holding said lid in open or closed position with respect to an associated box, said resilient means also functioning as hinging ears for the lid.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a journal box lid adapted to completely close the outer opening of a journal box and provided with lugs thereon for con necting a torsion spring thereto, said spring being formed with portions provided with eyes for the reception of a hinging bolt for movably connecting said spring and its associated lid to the box, said spring being provided with another portion adapted to engage a lug of the usual shape on the box to hold the lid in open or closed position.

A further object of my invention is the provision of an improved id for ournal boxes formed for association with a torsion spring, said spring being adapted to act at approximately the center of the lid and press the same firmly against the edge of the outer opening in an associated journal box, said spring being provided with loops adapted for the reception of pivotal means for connecting said lid to the associated journal box.

Other objects and advantages of the invention relating to the particular arrangement and combination of the various parts will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawings illustrating my invention, the scope whereof is defined by the appended claims:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a. preferred embodiment of my lid shown assembled with the Serial no.

associated journal box, torsion spring and connecting bolt.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line 22 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is an elevational View of the central portion of a modified form of lid showing portions of the associated torsion spring.

Figure 4: is a sectional view on the line 4.4 of Figure 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is an elevational view correspond ing to Figure 1 but showing another modification.

Figure 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6 of Figure 5 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view corresponding to Figure 2 but showing afurther modification.

Figure 8 is av partial elevational view corresponding to Figure 3 but showing a still further modification.

Referring to the drawings in detail, like parts being designated by like reference characters, and first considering the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a journal box 1 formed with a hinge lug 2 of usual character, said lug being provided with an aperture 3 for pivotally connecting an associated lid therewith and with angularly disposed surfaces land 5 for engagement with resilient means for holding such a lid in closed or open position as will be understood.

The lid 6, in the present embodiment, is formed with an inner peripheral surface 7 generally fiat and adapted to engage the edge 8 of the usual outer opening 9 in the journal box 1 around the full periphery thereof. The lid 6 may be formed in any de sired manner as by casting, it being preferably formed of malleable iron. In the present embodiment, said lid is provided with depending outer flanges 10 extending along the outer periphery thereof on the sides and across the top except adjacent the hinge lug 2 where said flanges are omitted and replaced by a thickened or beaded portion 11. Along the lower edge of lid 6, a drip flange 12 takes the place of the outer flange 10. The lower edge of said lid 6 is preferably provided with a lip 18 forming a convenient portion for manually grasping said lid to open or close the same.

The lid is preferably embossed as indicated at 14- and said outward embossment preferably formed with an inwarc depression 15 providing for tie reception of the coil portions 16 of the torsion spring 17. Said torsion spring prefe "ably comprises a piece of round spring steel rod or wire bent to form a pair of coil portions 16 connected by a U-shaped portion 18 which engages the angularly disposed surfaces l and 5 on the hinge lug 2 to hold the lid in closedbr open position as desired, in accordance wlth principles which will be understood. "ljhe U-shaped portion 18 is desirably provided with a roller, wear plate 19 or other well known anti-friction device for dir ct engagement with the lug faces 4 and 5 For movably connecting the torsion spring with the lid 6, the central. portion of said lid is preferably former. with a pair of lugs 20, said lugs, in the present embodiment, ex;- tending away from each other and from preferably upright flanges or webs 21 ex tending outwardly from the lid 6 from the depressed portion 15 thereo The conncction between said portions 21 and the lid is 'ireferably reinforced by a web 22 extending between the portions 21 substantially in line with the lugs 20. Said lugs 20 may be formed of such a size as to snugly fit within. the coil portions 16 of the spring and, in the present embodiment, are shown as plus or star shape in cross section, thereby providing what are, in etlect, trunnions for pivotally mounting the lid 6 on the spring 17.

It will be noted that the usual hinging ears of the lid are dispensed with, thereby saving weight and cheapening the cos; of the lid. To provide for the movable connection between the lid and box, the outer portions of the torsion spring 17 are extended beyond the upper edge of the lid 6 ant formed with eyes or loops 23 adapted to receive a hinge pin or pintle 24 extending through the aperture 3 in the hinge lug 2 for properly connecting said lid and box. In order to retain the spring 17 in proper assembled relation with respect to the lid 6, said lid is preferably formed with angular lugs 25 extendin from the face thereof a-djacent the upper edge and having the free ends 26 thereof overlying the adjacent portions of the spring 17, but not touching said portions when the lid is closed, to hold the same in proper assembled relation with respect to said lid. It will be apparent that, by virtue of this construction, the looped ends 23 of the spring function as the usual hinging ears in addition to being part of the resilient means for holding the lid in open or closed position.

The hinge pin 24 may be of any desired character and, in the present embodiment, is shown as a bolt provided at one end with a head 27 and with the other end bifurcated to form prongs 28, said prongs being spread apart as indicated to prevent undesired removal or loss of said bolt when in service. In the present embodiment, the eyes 23 embrace the bolt 24 and are shown formed with the free ends 29 of the spring positioned outwardly so that, when in service position, there will not be as much tendency to pull the eyes open.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, a construction is there disclosed involving a lid 6 which may be similar to the lid 6 of the first embodiment except that the lugs 20 for connection with the coils 16 of the torsion spring 17 are spaced closer together and extend from a common web 21 positioned on the outer face of the lid 6. Another slight difference resides in the fact that the coil portions of the torsion spring 17 have more coils than in the first embodiment, it being evident that the number of coils employed is a matter of choice according to circumstances. Except as specifically described and illustrated in Figures 3 and 4:, the construction thereof may correspond with that disclosed in connect-ion with the first embodiment.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, a construction is there disclosed in which the coil portions 16 of the torsion spring 17 are held in position by hook shaped portions 20 extending outwardly from the face of the lid and providing pockets 21" adapted to engage the coils of the spring for approximately half the periphery thereof. These hook shaped portions 20 are preferably braced with respect to the lid 6* by means of upright web portions 22". In order to prevent the spring 17" from working out of the pockets 21", when in service, the upper edge of said lid 6 is preferably formed with contact strips 30 which normally engage the eyes or looped portions 23* of said spring 17 to prevent accidental disengagement of said spring with respect to the lid.

As in the previous embodiments, the lid is formed with lugs 25 with portions 26" overlying the end portions of the spring 17 and providing notches for the reception of said spring. It will be apparent that transverse movement of the coil portions 16 of the spring with respect to the hook shaped portions 20" embracing said coils is prevented by the portions of the spring extending upwardly on either side of said coils.

Although the looped portions or eyes 23" of the spring may be formed as described in expanded in the corresponding elongated eye 23 as illustrated.

Another difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment is that the depending flanges and 12 areomitted and the peripheral surface 7 of the lid and the corresponding surface 8 of the box are ground to provide a practically fluid-tight joint therebetween for minimizing the entrance of water and other foreign matter. It will be apparent that the formation of this ground joint is relatively simple whenthe depending flanges are omitted and a similar construction may, if desired, be employed with a lid as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. Except as specifically described in connection with the present embodiment, the same may be as shown in the first embodiment.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figure 7, a fragmentary portion of a box 1 is disclosed together with a hinge lug 2, a hinge bolt 24, a lid 6 and a spring 17. The looped or eye shaped portions 23 of the spring 17 may be formed as illustrated in connection with either of the preceding embodiments, the coil porthe springs are distorted or kinked as indicated at 32 to prevent undesired downward movement of said spring as will be understood. These kinked portions take the place of the contact strips previously described and perform a similar function. Except as specifically described in connection with the present embodiment, the same may correspond with that of the previous embodiment.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figure 8, a modification thereof is fragmentarily disclosed in which the coil portions 16 of the spring 17 are connected to the outer face of the lid by lugs 20 extending toward each other from webs 21 instead of away from each other as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. In accordance with this construction, the web 22 is omitted, but except as specifically described the lid and associated parts may be exactly as described in I connection with the embodiment illustrated in Figure. 1 and 2.

For assemblin the s 71111 with res ect to 6 n a l the lid and both with respect to the associated box, the sprin is preferably sprung to engage the central connecting means on the box and to underlie the connecting portions 26 adjacent the upper edge of the box. A small wedge (not shown) may be driven between the wear plate and the lid body putting the spring under a slight initial stress. To apply the lid, it is then only necessary to place it in its proper position, insert the pin or bolt, expand the prongs thereof and, at the first opening of the lid, the temporary wedge is released by the engagement of the wear plate of the spring with the hinge lug. To remove the lid and spring, the operation is reversed and, therefore, the lid is as easy to apply and remove as any other type. Of course, it will be understood that the forked or pronged end of the lid bolt may be opened or expanded either before or after the wedge is removed.

From the foregoing disclosure, it will be apparent that I have devised an improved form of journal box lid involving the elimination of the usual hinging ears and the employmentof a spring which functions both as resilient means for holding the lid in desired positions and for hinging said lid to the box. The hinging portions or eyes of the spring may be formed either circular or oval as desired and the means for attaching the coil portions of the spring may involve either pivot lugs extending inwardly or outwardly or downwardly opening hook portions together with the provision of notches or jaws adjacent the upper edge of the lid for holding the hinging portions of the spring in proper relation with respect to said lid. Inasmuch as these aws do not engage the spring when the lid is closed but merely retain said spring and lid in proper assembled relation upon opening of the lid, they do not affect the fact that the spring acts substantially at the center of the lid, whereby a substantially uniform pressure is maintained around the entire periphery of said lid for insuring a tight seal with respect to the box. The bolt for pivoting the spring and its associated lid with respect to the box may be formed for cooperation with the spring to prevent turning movement therebetween and, although it may be of any desired character, it is preferably of the split end type.

It will be apparent that, with a lid of the present type preferably formed of malleable iron, a flat bearing face may be provided either ground as described to provide an effective seal to exclude dust and water or fermed with depending flanges for the same purpose. On account of the spring reaction at the center of the lid, uniform pressure is obtained and, by pivoting the lid from the spring loops instead of from the rigid ears on the lid, inaccuracies in the hinge lug contour and pin location may be offset. The lid is simple and economical to apply and, by employing a spring of the torsion type, low stresses in the metal insure long life thereof.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

1. In combination, a journal box, a lid therefor, unitary resilient means serving to press the lid against and mova-biy connect it to said box, and means on said lid overlying said spring to limit angular movement between said spring and lid when the latter is open.

2. In combination, a journal box, a lid adapted to cover an opening in said journal box, a unitary resilient device connected to said lid adjacent the central portion thereof and extended to form hinging ears for connecting said lid and box, and means on said lid overlying said spring adjacent said hinging ears to limit angular movement therebetween.

3. In combination, a ournal box, a lid for closing an opening therein, unitary resilient means pivotally mounted adjacent the cen tral portion of said lid and termed with extensions beyond an edge oii sa id l1 pivotpin connecting said extensions to the box for movably mounting said lid, and means for normally holding said extensions near said lid to cause them to properly function as hinging ears.

4. In combination, a journal box formed with a hinging lug thereon, a lid. for closing an opening in said box adjacent said lug, spring means with a eylindrically coiled portion pivotally mounted on said lid and formed with an intermediate portion adapted to engage said lug and hold the lid in open or closed position, said spring means being also formed with portions, exterior of said first mentioned portion, provided with looped ends for permitting said spring means to perform the additional function of hinging ears for the lid, and pivotal means extending through said looped ends and the hinging lug on the box to movably mount the lid on said box.

5. In combination, a journal box, a lid for closing an opening therein, a torsion spring rotatably mounted adjacent the central portion of said lid and formed with an intermediate loop engaging a portion of the journal box to hold the lid in open or closed position and portions extending on opposite sides of said intermediate portion and held in assembled relation with respect to said lid by means of angular lugs extending from the face of said lid, those portions of the spring, beyond said angular lugs, being looped, and pivotal means extending through said looped portions and the adjacent portion of the box for movably mounting said spring and associated lid with respect to said box.

6. In combination, a journal box formed with a hinge lug thereon, a hinge pin extending through said lug, a torsion spring formed with arms bent to provide eyes through which said pin extends for hinging said spring to the box and a lid for closing an opening in said box, said lid being formed with pivot lugs engaging the coils of said spring to movably connect said lid thereto, said torsion spring thereby serving to hinge and hold said lid in either open or closed position.

7. In combination, a journal box, a lid for closing an opening therein, a torsion spring rotatably mounted adjacent the central portion of said lid and formed with an intermediate U-shaped portion engaging a portion of the journal box to hold the lid in open or closed position, said spring being formed with portions extending on opposite sides of said U-shaped portion and held in assembled relation with respect to said lid by lugs extending therefrom, those portions of the spring, beyond said lugs, being bent to provide eyes and pivotal means extending through said eye portions and the adjacent portion of the box for movably mounting said spring and associated lid thereon, said connection between said spring and box taking the place of the usual pivotal connection between hinging ears on a lid and associated box. I

8. I11 combination, a lid for journal boxes adapted to cover an opening therein, an integral resilient device adapted for connection to said lid adjacent the central portion there of and extended to form eyes adapted for the reception of hinging means for connecting said lid and box. and means on said lid overlying said extensions for limiting movement between said resilient device and lid.

9. In combination, a lid for journal boxes, an integral resilient device pivotally mounted adjacent the central portion thereof and formed with arms extending beyond an edge of said lid, said arms being bent at their extremities and adapted to embrace a pivot pin for connecting the same with the box for mounting the lid thereon, and means limiting the pivotal movement of the extended arms with respect to said lid to adapt them to function as the usual hinging ears.

10. In combination, a lid for journal boxes. a torsion spring rotatably mounted adjacent the central portion of said lid and formed with an intermediate U-shaped portion adapted to engage a portion of an associated box to hold the lid in open or closed position, said spring also being provided with arms extending on opposite sides of said intermediate portion, means extending from said lid to loosely hold said arms in assembled relation with respect thereto, said arms, beyond said holding means, being bent to form eyes adapted to receive pivotal means extending therethrough for movably mounting said spring and lid with respect to the associated box.

11. In combination, a journal box. a lid normally closing an opening therein, a spring movably mounted adjacent the central portion of said lid and formed with an interl n pen or closed posiion, and portions exte, drug on opposite sides of mail intermediate portion and loosely held ssembled relation with respect to said lid means extending from the face of said lid, those portions of the spring beyond the upper edge of said lid being looped and pivotal means extending therethrough, and through the adjacent portion of the box for movably mounting said lid with respect to said box.

12. In combination, a journal box, a lid for closing an opening therein, a spring movably mounted adjacent the central portion thereof and formed with an intermediate portion engaging a lug on the journal box for holding the lid in open or closed position, said spring being formed with extensions on opposite sides of said intermediate portion and loosely held in assembled relation with respect to said lid by means extending therefrom, those portions of the spring beyond the upper edge of said lid being bent to provide eyes and pivotal means extending through said eyes and the adjacent portion of the box for movably mounting said spring and associated lid thereon, thereby avoiding the necessity for hinging ears on the lid.

13. A journal. box lid provided with a spring pivotally mounted thereon, said spring being formed with an intermediate portion adapted to engage the usual hinge lug of an associated journal box to hold the lid in open or closed position, said spring also being provided with arms extending on opposite sides of said intermediate portion, and means extending from said lid to limit relative movement of said arms with respect thereto, said arms beyond the upper edge of said lid being bent to form eyes for receiving means for pivotally mounting said spring and lid with respect to the associated box.

let. In combination, a journal box formed with a hinging lug, a lid for closing an opening in said box adjacent said lug and formed with trunnion means on the outer face thereof, spring means mounted on said lid by a por ion closely coiled about said trunnion means to form a journalled connection and formed with a portion adapted to engage said lug and hold the lid in open or closed position, said spring means being also formed with portions provided with looped ends whereby said means performs the additional function of hinging ears for said lid, and means extending through said looped ends and the hinging lug on the box to provide for pivotal motion of the lid with respect to said box.

15. In combination, a journal box, a lid for closing an opening therein and formed with an upper edge substantially straight, unitary resilient means pivotally mounted on said lid for holding it against the box, said means having extensions beyond the upper edge of said lid forming eyes to enable said means to perform the additional function of pivoting the lid to the box, and means for limiting movement of said extensions with respect to said lid to maintain a proper angular relation between said resilient means and lid when the latter is open.

16. In combination, a journal box, a lid adapted to cover an opening in said box, said lid being substantially rectangular in outline without hinging ears and formed with lug means on its outer face, and a spring formed with a coiled portion journalled about lug means on the lid to provide for pivotal motion between said lid and spring, said spring being extended and provided with apertured portions to adapt said spring for performing the double function of hinging said lid to said box and holding the same in open or closed position.

17. In combination, a journal box, a lid for said box, said lid being plain without means for hinging it to the box and having lug means outstanding therefrom, round wire spring means with an intermediate coiled portion journally mounted on said lug means and formed with arms extending beyond the upper edge of said lid, means on said lid for restraining relative movement of said arms with respect to said lid, and a hinging bolt extending through an adjacent portion of said box, the arms of said spring means being bent to embrace said bolt to adapt the spring means to perform the double function of hinging the lid with respect to the box and holding it in one of a plurality of positions.

18. In combination, a lid for journal boxes, a single resilient device pivoted thereto and performing the double function of pressing the same against and movably connecting it to an associated box, and means extending from the outer face of the lid for limiting the pivotal movement between the resilient device and lid when the latter is open to maintain said device and lid in proper angular relation.

19. In combination, a lid for journal boxes formed with a downwardly opening hook shaped portion on the outer face thereof, and a single wire spring with a coiled portion forming a journal seated on said hook shaped portion as a bearing and formed with a portion adapted to engage an associated box and hold the lid in open or closed position, said spring being formed with portions provided with looped ends functioning as hinging ears for the lid and adapted for engagement with pivotal means to connect the same to said box.

20. In combination, a journal box formed with a hinge lug, a hinge pin extending through said lug, a spring formed with coil portions and arms curved to provide eyes through which said pin extends for hinging said spring to the box, and a lid for closing an opening in said box, said lid being formed With lugs closely fitting the coil portions of the spring for journally connecting said lid thereto, said spring thereby serving to hinge and hold said lid in either open or closed position.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

DONALD S. BARROWS. 

